some of the many highlights from being away were doing events for the store. one of the last ones that we had for 2007 (damn, it is already gone!) was for our “Decorating the Natural Way” event that random nicole hosted. the premise of the event was to educate how a person could create really amazing gifts with simple things around the home…to spark imagination and inspiration.
the real inspiration though happened with me. you see, random nicole is my niece and although i always thought of her as a creative-artys-fartsy sort, i was allowed the chance to see her at work which was one of a true educator. she had a kindness and passion for creation that i could never have…even if wanted to and tried my hardest, she naturally did it. laughter and imagination kind of took over the room of strangers really, and they not only got it, but had a great time doing it. how many things can we say that about….
god i wish i were them! this was a party with results! meanwhile, i was busy taking care of a lost customer, price checks and supplies!
i love co-op america..
not only do they host the GreenFest (a trip i will be blogging about in November), they send you these great little tidbits on eco-friendly living (PS sign up for their newsletter for awesome tips!). they sent me one last week on the not-so-regular recycling options.
click here to see items that you didn’t know you could recycle…
bookmark this or print it out on some high-content recycled paper, this is a definite “spread the word item”.
Orange Coast Magazine did a little something on our store this month! if you can’t get a copy my mother (as all parents do), scanned the piece.
after the last post, i got thirsty & i couldn’t wait to make my new favorite drink.
i must say, this isn’t my idea…my niece Nicole actually started doing this with our first CSA basket & i became quickly addicted to it as a result of my on-going love affair with Avanti Cafe’s margaritas…which are the closest thing to summer in a glass than you can possibly get.
how to make a CSA margarita:
tools of the trade:
oranges, limes/lemons (about 1 for every 3-4 oranges), knife, squeezer, tequila, pitcher, salt (optional, but works really well with fresh juice!), ice, zester (if you have one).
cut everything in 1/2 & squeeze the juice of about 10-15 fruits (a tall drink = 3 oranges) into a wide bowl (spilling = clean-up)
the batch in the picture made about 6+ good drinks (but we needed more lemons)
pour into a pitcher (good for straight-up oj), if you have a zester, make some lemon/lime zest and mix that into the pitcher. use an old lemon/lime on the rim of a glass and add the salt, pour about a shot of tequila into the glass fill another shot 1/2 with juice & fill will ice. MIX!
* soda water makes it tropical…not too much! enjoy!
got the CSA basket from Morning Song Farm yesterday; about 30lbs. of local, fresh-picked organic produce. driving home, our car became saturated with the scent of fresh basil, swiss chard, oranges, lettuce & cucumbers…really a treat!
here are the goodies before the drive home.
our house, with 3 grown adults cant finish the 1 large basket that we receive every week….but i have been creative.
veggies (like beets-yuck!) have been making a good gift to my neighbor’s brother. and i am going to experiment with pesto tonight and well, i have been having salads everyday (great timing with the heat) with delicious heirloom cherry tomatoes, and i can’t forget the house favorite: margaritas! recipes to follow.
Last Wednesday’s film screening of Black Gold was a great experience…we served an incredible brew from Ethiopia (the particular area discussed in the film), that i must say was nothing short fabulous….love me some Peace Coffee!
About 25 people were able to make it and spent the next hour & 1/2 in complete amazement over how coffee prices have drastically affected African people. Many growers were in awe that we pay about $2.80 for a cup of coffee…they thought it was a joke because they can’t even receive $0.15 or a pound!
here’s a pix of the group right before the show.
we will be showing the movie again next year, most likely in February. if you are interested in learning about coffee, fair trade practices & the movie before the next showing….see the following:
fair trade federation
Black Gold
don’t forget to ask you local brew-house if they carry fair-trade…most likely they won’t even know what it is.